ANH WU’S TRAVEL – TRIPS I HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE

I have a passion for adventure travel, especially exploring places by motorbike. There is nothing I enjoy more than being out on two wheels and discovering new places.

On this page, you’ll find my personal thoughts, stories, and reflections from my travels. These views and experiences are entirely my own and are separate from the activities of my company.

If you ever need advice or information, feel free to get in touch. I’ll always do my best to provide honest, practical, and helpful guidance based on my own experiences.

Cambodia

My trip to Cambodia took place in June 2011. In reality, it was only a short journey to search for motorbike spare parts. At the time, life there seemed slower and more relaxed than in Vietnam, although the cost of services was generally higher. I particularly enjoyed the weather, the friendly people, and, of course, the food.

My first impression after crossing the Moc Bai – Bavet border was the long line of casinos stretching along the road. Interestingly, most of the customers appeared to be Vietnamese.

I hope to return in the near future and explore this beautiful country properly on two wheels. Until then, Cambodia, wait for me!

China – My First Trip Abroad

I have traveled to China several times over the years. My first visit was in 1998, crossing through the Lao Cai – Hekou border gate with my wife and sisters. Fortunately, my wife speaks both Chinese and English fluently, so communicating with local people was never a problem. The only challenge for me was the food, which I often found too spicy for my taste.

Although my family name has Chinese origins, I personally feel little connection to China today. More than a thousand years ago, one of my ancestors, who served as an ambassador, settled in Vietnam. Since then, the family has been part of Vietnamese society for many generations. Vu (or Vo) is now a very common Vietnamese surname. “Vu” is mainly used in northern Vietnam, while “Vo” is more common from Quang Binh Province southward. Both are derived from the Chinese surname “Wu” through Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation.

Today, Wu remains one of the most common surnames in China, while Vu/Vo ranks among the most widespread surnames in Vietnam, representing around 4% of the population.

Despite visiting China several times, I never developed any particularly strong impression of the country or its people. I enjoyed seeing different places and cultures, but I feel no need to return to what was once my ancestors’ homeland. For me, that chapter of travel is complete.

Laos

In May/June 2017, I joined four friends on an eight-day motorbike journey from Vietnam to Laos, crossing through the Na Meo/Nam Soi border gate. Although Laos felt less dynamic and generally more expensive than Vietnam, I was eager to discover what this beautiful country had to offer from the saddle of a motorbike.

As with every ride, the adventure was never just about reaching the destination. It was about the roads we travelled, the landscapes we passed through, the people we met, and the unforgettable moments shared along the way.

Travel route Vietnam & Laos

Day 1 (May 31^st 2017): Hanoi – Quang Son. Starting at mid-day. 250km.
Day 2 (June 1^st 2017): Quang Son – Muang Kham. 350km.
Day 3 (June 2^nd 2017): Muang Kham – Vientiane. 500km.
Day 4 (June 3^rd 2017): Vientiane.
Day 5 (June 4^th 2017): Vientiane – Luang Prabang. 300km.
Day 6 (June 5^th 2017): Luang Prabang – Vieng Mai. 350km.
Day 7 (June 6^th 2017): Vieng Mai – Son La. 350km.
Day 8 (June 7^th 2017): Son La – Hanoi. 320km.

The short video below captures some of the highlights and memorable moments from our journey.

During the trip, we rode through heavy rain, rough roads, beautiful mountain passes, scorching heat, and even long stretches after dark. Despite the challenges, we eventually completed the journey and achieved our dream ride together.

Thanks to our wonderful friends in Laos, especially those in Vientiane, we had the opportunity to experience the country from a local perspective rather than as ordinary tourists. One memorable moment came on the third day, when we stopped in the rain at a small roadside gas station. For a country with a population of only around seven million people, Laos seemed to have an astonishing number of gas stations!

Stay tuned for more stories, updates, and adventures from the road. The journey continues on two wheels.

Thailand

Thailand is truly one of my favorite countries. I love the hot, dry weather, the people, the lifestyle, and especially the food. I believe that anyone who has travelled to Thailand will understand exactly what I mean. The country feels rich and diverse in many ways, shaped by strong cultural influences from both China and India, as well as the deep roots of Buddhism in everyday life.

Thai people are incredibly kind, gentle, and patient. During my visits, I often felt that people there were calmer and more relaxed than in Vietnam.

My first trip to Thailand was in March 2007, and my most recent visit was in February 2017. Over those ten years, I witnessed many changes. One of the most noticeable was the rising cost of living. Back in 2007, I found Thailand cheaper than Vietnam. By 2017, however, Vietnam had become a more affordable destination. That is perfectly understandable. As a visitor, I contribute very little to building the country, so it is only fair to pay for the quality of services and infrastructure that I enjoy.

One area where I felt Thailand could improve was WiFi access. Internet service was not expensive, yet WiFi was often limited or came with additional charges. In Vietnam, free WiFi is available almost everywhere, and many businesses openly share it with their customers. During my February 2017 trip, I found a simple solution by purchasing an unlimited seven-day 4G SIM card at a Skytrain station for only 100 Baht, which was less than 3 USD at the time. Ironically, the airport itself offered only one hour of free WiFi, and registration was limited to a single use.

Despite that minor inconvenience, Thailand remains one of my favorite destinations, and I will definitely be back.

Vietnam

Vietnam is my homeland and, honestly, the only place I truly call home. I love this country deeply and have never considered moving elsewhere. Personally, I prefer northern Vietnam because of its dramatic landscapes, mountains, and unique way of life. Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is interesting as well, but I have little desire to explore many other parts of the country, as the scenery does not appeal to me as much, and beaches have never been my main interest.

One thing travellers should understand about Vietnam is the relationship between price and service quality. Unfortunately, many businesses compete primarily by lowering prices rather than improving the quality of their products or services. This happens partly because businesses want to attract more customers, and partly because many travellers are constantly searching for the cheapest option available. In reality, this often leads to disappointment and, in some cases, scams.

A typical example can be found in the motorbike market. Some dishonest sellers advertise a “Honda Win” when the motorcycle is actually a cheap Chinese-made copy. If a seller is willing to mislead customers from the very beginning, it is not difficult to imagine what problems may arise later. You can read more about this issue at this link.